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How To Change Your Wiper Blades

Click here to learn more about replacing car wipers. Find out how to change your wiper blades in this easy, step-by-step do-it-yourself guide.

05 June 2023

How To Change Your Wiper Blades

Overview

Why windscreen wipers require replacing

Over time, the sun, rain, heat, cold and dirt will degrade your windscreen wipers. The result is that wiper blades will harden or crack, split, and tear. In the early stages of wear you’ll notice blurry patches when you wipe the windscreen. Go too long without a windscreen wiper replacement and the rubber will begin to fall apart eventually scratching your windscreen.

Signs Your Wiper Blades Need Replacing

If you’re looking at torn rubber and a scratched windscreen, your wiper replacement has been left far too long. There are a couple of early ways to tell if they should be changed. If the windscreen looks like an abstract art piece when you flick the wipers on; you’re probably due for a new set. Wipers which squeak or shudder their way across the windscreen is a sign that replacement is required as well. Best practice is to change your wiper blades once a year.

What wiper blades fit my car?

Every windscreen wiper consists of two main components - the blade, which is attached to the wiper arm, and the rubber, which comes into contact with the windscreen. Your windscreen wiper may either be a two-part assembly where the blade and rubber can be detached, or a bonded assembly where the blade and rubber are fused together as one unit.

To determine the type of assembly in your wiper, you can visually inspect it, refer to your vehicle manual, inquire at a Supercheap store, or use the My Garage feature on the Supercheap Auto website. You may also find some information on how to change wiper blades in your vehicle owner’s manual.

Items

For a smooth window wiper replacement, you’ll need to gather the following tools and materials:

Steps

Bonded windscreen wiper blades replacement

Step 1: How to remove the old wiper blades

To remove windscreen wiper blades, detach the blade and rubber assembly from the wiper arm by unclipping it. You might refer to your manual to understand how the clips work. The moment you have removed the wiper blade, gently lower the wiper arm onto a cloth placed on the windscreen. This will prevent the arm flicking down and cracking the glass.

Step 2: Fit the new wiper blades

Once you know what wiper blades fit your car, these bonded windscreen wiper blades are supplied with the correct clip fitted, and the perfect length ready to go. Just clip the new assembly in the same way the old one came off and that’s it. A job done SUPER!

Two-piece windscreen wiper replacement

Let’s look at how to change wiper blades on a car with two-part wiper blades.

You have a couple of options for a two-part wiper blade system. You can either swap out just the rubber part with a refill or go for the easy option and purchase the entire windscreen wiper blades and rubber assembly as a complete unit.

Keep in mind that this type of wiper usually comes with a range of clip adapters to pick from, so you'll need to choose the right wiper blades for your vehicle.

Step 1: Remove the old blades

Unclip your old wiper assembly from the wiper arm and lower this gently onto a cloth protecting your windscreen.

Step 2: Select A clip adaptor

Use your old blade to compare the clip adaptors that come with the new blade. Pick the matching clip adaptor and snap this into your new blade.

Step 3: Fit the new windscreen wiper blades

Clip the new assembly onto the wiper arm the same way the old one came off; and bring on the rain!

Windscreen wiper replacement rubbers

If your windscreen wiper blades look fine and you just want to replace the rubber, these are the steps for you.

Step 1: Remove the wiper blades

It is possible to replace the rubbers while the wiper blade is attached to the vehicle, but it’s often easier to undo the clip and remove the blades. Once again be sure to lower the wiper arm onto a cloth to protect the windscreen.

Step 2: Remove the wiper rubbers

Use a pair of pliers to slide the old rubber free of the blade. There may be a small clip on the end of each which you’ll need to depress with the pliers, other types will just require a bit of a pull.

Step 3: Fit the new rubbers

Firstly, double-check that the new rubbers are the same width as the old ones. Keep in mind that certain vehicles may have different sizes on the left and right sides. Once you've confirmed the width, simply slide the new rubber into the blade, ensuring that it passes through each claw before locking it into place at the bottom of the wiper.

Step 4: Trim the rubbers

As wiper rubbers are multi-fit; you’ll need to trim them to length. Allow a 25-millimetre overhang past the last claw in the wiper blade.

Tips

If your brand new wipers are still noisy or streaky, try giving your windscreen a good wash or even deep clean your windscreen with glass polish

Even in summer it’s wise to check your wipers every couple of months. If they’re not doing their job; you know how easy they are to replace, and you can beat the rush when the first rains come

It’s good to get into the habit of checking and topping up your windscreen washer fluid whenever you change your wiper blades